// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
De Laval Nozzle
A De Laval nozzle is a specially shaped tube found in rocket engines and jet engines that narrows in the middle and then widens. This design allows hot, high-pressure exhaust gases to expand and accelerate to supersonic speeds, creating thrust.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The De Laval nozzle is a converging-diverging supersonic nozzle geometry, invented by Gustaf de Laval, critically employed in chemical propulsion systems like rocket engines and some jet engines to efficiently expand and accelerate high-pressure, high-temperature combustion gases to supersonic velocities, thereby maximizing thrust and propulsion efficiency.
BACKGROUND
Propulsion is the generation of force by any combination of pushing and/or pulling to modify the translational motion of an object, which is typically a rigid body but may also concern a fluid. A propulsion system is a machine system consists of at least two core elements: the powerplant, a source of mechanical power; and the propulsor, an actuator mechanism that converts the supplied power into propulsive force; often also with supplementary components such as transmission and control system that enhance the final outcome of the propulsion system.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Converging-diverging nozzle
- CD nozzle
- Rocket nozzle
- Supersonic nozzle
USAGE NOTE
It is essential for achieving high exhaust velocities and efficient thrust in most modern rocket and jet engines operating at supersonic exhaust conditions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to De Laval Nozzle.
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Their Merlin and Raptor rocket engines prominently feature De Laval nozzles for efficient high-thrust propulsion in vacuum and atmospheric conditions.
Blue Origin develops rocket engines such as the BE-4 and BE-3U, which incorporate De Laval nozzles to achieve high exhaust velocities and thrust for their New Glenn launch vehicle and other aerospace applications.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a leading developer and manufacturer of rocket engines and propulsion systems for space and defense. Their wide range of engines, including the RS-25 (Space Shuttle Main Engine), utilize advanced De Laval nozzle designs.
As a joint venture between Airbus and Safran, ArianeGroup is a key European player in space propulsion. They develop and produce engines like the Vulcain and Vinci, which rely on De Laval nozzle technology for the Ariane family of launch vehicles.
NASA, through its various centers like Marshall Space Flight Center and Glenn Research Center, conducts extensive research and development on advanced propulsion systems, including optimizing De Laval nozzle designs for various rocket applications and future missions.
Northrop Grumman develops and manufactures solid rocket boosters and other propulsion systems, including those for the Space Launch System. These systems utilize sophisticated nozzle designs, based on De Laval principles, to generate powerful thrust.
MHI is responsible for developing and manufacturing the LE-7A and LE-9 engines used in Japan's H-IIA/B and H3 launch vehicles. These engines employ De Laval nozzle technology to achieve high performance in space propulsion.
NPO Energomash is a major Russian manufacturer of liquid-propellant rocket engines, known for high-performance designs like the RD-180 and RD-170. Their engines heavily rely on De Laval nozzles for optimal thrust generation.